Identification: These trees can reach as much as
164' (50 m) in height in the wild, with tall, straight trunks. They are roughly conical in shape when young,
becoming more ungainly or irregular in shape when older. Leaves are alternate, 5" (12 cm)
× 8" (20 cm), with leaf stems 3-4" (7.6-10 cm) long. Their shape resembles a tulip, hence the
name. Leaves are bright shades of yellow in the fall.
Flowers are green, white, or rarely yellow, and also reminiscent of tulips. They have
an orange band on the tepals. Fruits are roughly cone-shaped, green, becoming
tan. They remain on the tree during the winter.